Dirty socks and underwear, drying on a kitchen table chair

[Kenneth12]

It appears to be the week of entitled guests.

Belgian;  new to Airbnb:



Dirty socks,   something,  and yes that's underwear (I got close enough to tell).

Since no one else is staying on that floor tonight and tomorrow (current guest was told there was someone in one of the rooms),   I plan to leave it like that -- for now-- and let the next guests know to let me know if anything similar happens so I can correct.

And then,  there's the review ...

[Sarah977]

@Kenneth12 At least he didn't leave them in a moldering wad on the kitchen table ;.-)

[Kenneth12]

@Sarah977 :  well,  there's that;  he must be 50 if a day!

A graceful but firm follow-up is being composed,  but I must admit being taken aback.   (I wound up giving the other guy a 3/3/4,   "I think these mistakes were unintentional but serious, so I've pointed out them privately",  and a would host again-- though I didn't say that in the review.

He gave me 5s but complained in comments "the refrigerator didn't keep the milk cold enough."  Well,  hey,  we have three refrigerators!  and it's a heat crisis,   let me know and I'll fix it ... but if I don't know it's a problem,  I can't.

[Jennifer1421 · Accepted solution]

@Kenneth12 

I was just thinking to myself this morning that ignorance can be total bliss. This is one of those instances, I think - some things we, as hosts, are just better of not knowing. Do you suppose a new house rule is in order? Something along the lines of, "kindly do not air out your manky gitch in the kitchen"? 😉

[Mark116]

@Kenneth12   My sample size on guests from Belgium is very small, but entitled would be a common theme from my experience.

[Kenneth12]

What @Susan1188 said,  more or less. 

My sample size of Belgians is very high (bedankt),  and while the nationality might have been of significance in judging and responding appropriately to cultural differences,   knocking a nationality in this manner is not useful.

As with previous incidents that I may vent on here,  I thought a lot about this and how to best respond-- the problem really is,  a guest has brought me a unique challenge I don't have an easy,  pre-thought response to.

In this case,  the guest had asked me if there was a line outside or other place that he could hang some clothing,  given the humidity.   I said no and we chatted about humidity and I checked our monitors-- it was about 41% rh out,  60% in -- we had a dryer if he wanted but anywhere he hung them should work.

I didn't quite mean that "anywhere;"  other information about the guest,  not nationality,  might lead one to think "entitled" but I don't want to risk privacy;  otherwise,  I give new Airbnbers a bit of slack and want to provide an onboarding experience that changes their behavior,  introduces them to the community,   and makes lifetime customers.

I did drop him a note,   asking him please not to leave clothing etc in public areas except appropriately and for short times,  that by "hang" I assumed he would put on a hanger from the closet,   that the hallway closet would do if he didn't want to use his,   etc.,  and that many US urban municipalities ban the outdoor hanging of clothes,  in case he didn't know.

No reply back,  alas.

En natuurlijk zijn er een aantal culturele verschillen, tussen ons allemaal, niet waar?

[Sarah977]

@Kenneth12  Do you not have space inside anywhere for one of those inside, foldable, drying racks? When I lived in Canada, I had a drying rack on pulleys that you could lower, then hoist back up to close to the ceiling. Saved a bundle on electricity, as i never used a dryer. 

How silly is it to ban outside clotheslines, when most places are urging people to be conservative with electrical use. So we can't buy incandecscent bulbs anymore, but god forbid you see someone's clean underwear flapping in the breeze.

[Kenneth12]

@Sarah997 :  we have a complete laundry level in the very large basement,  with lines,  racks,  etc ... not sure why he didn't head there,  given what he intented to do... generally we'll mix using a gas dryer with allowing things to hang dry,  depending on humidity levels... at least that chair is not particularly valuable,  while the table in front of it came on a boat "with the rest of the family" from Germany in the 30s  (and requires frequent oil + baking soda + vinegar to address the guests who leave cups on it, rather than on the coasters left on it).

My understanding of the legal/codes background is that these were seen as class issues:   recent immigrants and the like "poor people" were more likely to engage in such issues,  so the gentried legislators were interested in stamping out the practices and customs of the Great Unwashed.  Most such legislation,  I'd guess,  has been on the books for 100-150 years,  and is in need of some revision given our environmental needs.

[Sarah977]

@Kenneth12  Actually I know a few places where clothesline bans are fairly recent, as well. A few uppity neighbors with buddies on city council complain about how "unsightly" it is and before you know it, there's some bylaw against it. Luckily I've never lived where is was verboten. I think the sight of laundry flapping in the breeze is delightful. Comes down smelling a lot better than Bounce, that's for sure.

[Helen350]

@Mark116 I think I've hosted 2x Belgian couples and a single lady. None of them were 'entitled'; the young single lady was delightful, & gave me 5*. I think the young couple & the elderly couple gave me 4*, but they were all polite & grateful, especially the 70 year olds.  

[Susan1188]

Sorry guys but these remarks about nationality are not acceptable and can get you suspended from the platform.

[Sarah977]

@Kenneth12  Last week's winner in the "What Don't You Get About Wet Stuff Ruins Wooden Furniture?" contest was the host who found wet towels draped all over her antique mahogany wardrobe.